acquainted, and in the rain and snow which have been our lot now
for so many months.

"They are as a rule, I believe, a class honest, persevering, and
industrious. For them I have to plead to-night, and for this
excellent institution, which has for the last nine years
rendered to them such great benefits.

"The objects of this Cabdrivers' Benevolent Association are, as
you are aware, threefold--first, to give annuities at the rate
of L12 each to aged cabdrivers or to those who from infirmity
are unable to earn their living; secondly, to grant loans
without interest to members requiring such aid, and to give
temporary assistance to those who may be in distress through
unavoidable causes; and, thirdly, to give legal assistance to
members who may be unjustly summoned to the police courts. It is
hardly possible to conceive that any benevolent institution of
this kind is more deserving of support, not only by the large
assembly who are gathered here, but by the inhabitants generally
of our great Metropolis. There are a thousand cabmen who are
members of this Association, and they pay 5_s._ a year. Pensions
of L12 are granted now to old and indigent cabdrivers, but it is
our great wish to augment that sum to L16" (now L20). "The
system of loans seems to have answered admirably in every
respect; L600 has been granted to the members without interest,
and these loans have, I understand, been always most regularly
and most punctually repaid. Two hundred and thirty-three cabmen
or their families have been assisted by this society in various
years since its formation, and its existing capital is more than
L3000; but this we hope to augment still further.

"One statement I may make which may be of interest to those
present here this evening. I mentioned that as a class the
cabmen are thoroughly honest. As a proof of that I have
statistics here before me which state that last year there were
between 16,000 and 17,000 articles left in cabs, amounting in
value to about L20,000, which have been punctually returned. I
believe, at least it is the popular belief, that there is only
one article a cabman never returns, and this is an umbrella, and
I think that is, we may consider, quite fair. A gentleman having
an umbrella may not want a cab, but without an umbrella he will
be compelle